The party winds down and I say goodbye to all my friends—from work, and the team. Jack Rivers asked me to be on the sidelines this Sunday, and I told him I’d love to. Once everyone’s gone, and we’ve helped Faith and the crew she hired clean up, Zack pushes me up against the wall and devours my mouth. I pull away even though my body’s protesting.
“I’m not staying here tonight.”
“Okay.”
Ouch. That hurt a little. I thought he’d at least try to get me to stay. “Do you still want to show me around?”
“Of course. You may not stay tonight, but there’s always tomorrow. Or Friday, after we go to the ball. I can be patient.”
“The ball?”
“You did ask me to the ball on Friday. I was hoping the offer still stands.”
“It does. Of course it does.”
“Good.”
He kisses the hollow of my neck and then steps back. He takes my hand and leads me through the house. The kitchen is like mine, but bigger. His office has nicer furniture, and more of it. There’s a room with a giant TV and every gaming system there is, plus a wall full of games. My mouth drops open at that one. He closes it with a laugh, and then I push him against the wall to kiss him.
Next to that room is my workroom. I stumble when I walk in the door. It’s amazing. There’s no other word for it. The counters are made of light purple plexi-glass and filled with computer pieces and glitter. My desk is a darker purple, filled with computer pieces as well. But it also has footballs, softballs, baseballs, volleyballs, and soccer balls in the wide legs. There are outlets everywhere, but no computers—Scott knows I’d want to bring in my own. There’s shelf space for all the toys and things I’ve collected to be moved from my apartment to here. The walls have cool artwork that Owen must’ve done, and just, wow. Even the floor sparkles. It’s the perfect mix of the old me, and the new me. The geek and the girl. I love it.
“Ains. Say something, please.”
“It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
“Thank God. Scott said it would be, but I’ve never seen your other workroom, so I wasn’t sure.”
“I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
“Even if you’re not ready for it, this is our home to me, babe.”
“I’m scared to see the rest. I may move in tonight.”
“I’d love that, but you already told me you’re not staying tonight.”
“I’d sleep in here. On the counter. Seriously.”
“If you want to stay, you could sleep in one of the guestrooms. I’m only using one of the six.”
“You’re in a guestroom?”
“Yes. The first time I sleep in our bed, you need to be there with me.”
“You-you didn’t…with the doctor?”
“You thought I’d sleep in our bed with someone else?”
“It wasn’t our bed anymore.”
“It’s always been our bed, and it always will be. For the record, I didn’t sleep with her anywhere. Until she launched herself at me tonight, I’d never even touched my lips with hers.”
I pull him to me so fast that we both stumble. He shoots his arms out and grabs the counter with one hand, and me with the other. I step backward and hop onto the counter, pulling him between my legs. I wrap them around him, and capture his mouth. I’m kissing him, and eventually rocking into him. That’s when he stops and pulls away.
“Not tonight. You told me that earlier, and even though you may want to stay now, I need to honor your original wishes. I don’t want you to regret anything.”
“Fine. Be honorable. You offered me a guest room, though.”
“That I did. Pick one and it’s yours.”
“But I have no pajamas,” I say as I bat my eyes.
“Actually you do, little vixen. Stella filled your closet and dresser with things you’d like.”
I pinch myself. Yep, this is real. Zack did all this for me. Even after I deceived him.
“Let’s go check out those rooms.”
We go upstairs, and I look in all the rooms. He’s had each of them furnished. They’re all comfortable, and not too girly.
“Would your brothers be okay in these?”
“My brothers?”
“Yeah. I’d like to meet them. And your parents. I told Chloe not to make the rooms too girly so they could stay with us.”
“Um, that’s nice but they can’t stay with us.”
“Why not?”
“They’re more protective than the girls. They wouldn’t let me sleep in the same room as you.”
“Well, shit.”
“It’s not a problem. I haven’t invited them out yet.”
“That’s true. Are you ready to see our room?”
There was something off in his response right now, but I’m too excited to see our bedroom to dwell on that right now. “Yes, please.”
We walk to the double doors. Zack pushes them open and then steps to the side. I walk into a fantasy bedroom. I’m not even kidding. It’s both the most romantic and the sexiest bedroom I’ve ever seen.
Our bed is the centerpiece, of course. There are purple and gold sheer curtains around the posts, and he had the inlays changed to purple. The other furniture we got at the antique store is complemented by tufted chairs and a chaise by the big windows. There’s a chandelier—a freaking chandelier—handing from the ceiling.
I walk into the bathroom to see a big Jacuzzi tub and a separate glass shower. On either side is a door. One leads to a nice sized closet for Zack. The other leads to a gigantic closet and dressing room for me. And it’s full. There are clothes, bags, shoes…everything. And he’s right. Stella picked things I’d like. They’re sexy, but comfortable. Next to the designer heels are Chucks in every color, and next to the gowns are funky dresses that I’d probably wear over leggings.
“Is it okay? Is everything okay?”
I turn to see Zack leaning against the door looking sexy as hell. He always looks hot, but when he’s in a suit—especially one that’s got his tie and shirt undone—well, it takes his hotness to a whole new level.
“Yes. Beyond yes. I don’t know what that is, but this house is it. Is it okay for you, though? There’s a lot of me throughout.”
“You saw it before Chloe decorated. I don’t need or want much. The fact that there is a lot of you makes me happy because that’s all I need. You. Besides, the backyard and the gym are pretty much all me.”
“Yeah?” He nods. “I didn’t notice it when I was here before, and I couldn’t see much of it tonight since it was dark, but I loved the swing.”
“My parents’ house has a porch swing. They used to sit on it every night. They made us stay inside so they could have that time alone. I always said I’d have a porch swing at my house, too, so my wife and I could swing every night.”
“How about a girlfriend swinging with you?”
“Are you applying for the position of my girlfriend? The interview process is pretty rigorous.”
“I have the jacket and ring already. So I think I passed.”
“I might need a refresher on the mouth to mouth part of the test.”
“That could be arranged.”
I walk over to him, grabbing him buy the lapels, and kiss the hell out of him. Before we both lose control, he pulls out that irritating new honorable side again. Scratch that, he’s always been honorable, just not when it came to us and a bed.
“Grab your pajamas and pick a room.”
“Fine. You go on back to your room, and I’ll pick mine.”
“Goodnight, Ains.”
I just smile and blow him a kiss. I’ve already picked the room I want, and it just so happens that he’s already sleeping in there. He told me yesterday that he wouldn’t play fair in trying to get me back. Well, I’m not going to play fair when it comes to getting him to make love to me.
I know I told him earlier that I wasn’t staying, but seeing him with my friends, and then what he had done to the house, it’s
just too much for me to ignore. Everything he did for me, including having a party here, is so wonderful. I don’t care anymore about looking weak, or easy. I just want to be with the man I love. He’s worried about me having regrets, but I’ll only regret tonight if I’m not with him.
* * *
Zack
I’m proud of myself for my self-control. My body’s pissed, but I know I did the right thing. I want Ainsley to be sure when she climbs back into bed with me. Knowing that she could regret being with me would kill me. I need release, though, so I push down my briefs, and take myself in hand.
I’m stroking hard when the door opens. Ainsley’s eyes widen, but then she licks her lips and gives me a devilish smile.
“Don’t stop on my account. That’s hot.”
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
I don’t take my hand off my cock because I’m really close, and I just can’t stop. Especially with her watching me.
“You told me to pick a room. I pick this one.”
“I’ll get out in a minute. I can’t walk right now.”
“I didn’t say I wanted you to leave.”
She unties the robe she’s wearing, and lets it fall off her shoulders. Oh fuck. She’s got on a corset with garter things hanging down. And that’s it. No panties, and the corset stops below her bare breasts. She licks her fingers and then rubs them around her nipples. The bed is banging against the wall as I fuck my hand.
“You need some help with that big, hard cock of yours,” she tells me before walking over and taking me in her mouth.
She’s fucking herself with her fingers, and since I was almost there already, the sight of it takes me over. I come hard in her mouth. I can’t take it, seeing her wet pussy glistening at me as I come down. I turn us over and attack her with my mouth. I replace her fingers with mine and work her until she’s screaming.
“I’m sorry, Ains. I tried. I really tried to resist.”
“The only thing I’m going to have a problem with tomorrow is you apologizing for making me come. Now shut up and take me to our bed.”
I laugh as I pick her up and carry her there. We get no sleep as we take each other over and over again all night.
It’s a good thing the new coach gave us a day off to relax because there’s no way I could perform on the field after performing all night. My woman’s insatiable, and I wake up to her riding me. I grab her hips and thrust into her until we both come hard.
“Good morning.”
“It’s better than good. Aren’t you sore after last night? It’s been weeks since we went like that.”
“A little, but you know I can never get enough of you.”
“I do know that. Do you have any plans for today?”
“I have to work. Jade leaves on Saturday for a new mission, and I have to make sure everything’s ready for her.”
All of a sudden I realize that Ainsley could be leaving for a mission. I wouldn’t know where she was, or if she was safe. Those thoughts scare me enough to have me sitting straight up in bed.
“What’s wrong, Zack?”
“Are you going on another mission soon?”
She shakes her head and looks a little sad. “I can’t, Zack.”
“Why not? Did those assholes hurt you when they had you?”
I didn’t see any marks on her when I was playing with her body last night, and she definitely wasn’t moving slow or like she was in pain. But maybe it’s internal.
“I’m not hurt. I’ve just been exposed.”
“Exposed? They took pictures of you? I know they’re in jail, but I’ll kill them.”
“Calm down. What I meant is that the press took pictures of us.”
Oh God. I never thought of that. “I’m so sorry. I’ve ruined your career. I shouldn’t have kissed you after my touchdown.”
“You didn’t ruin my career. Jane and Reina said I can still go out on mini missions, and I’m valuable enough behind my computer. And you damn well better kiss me when you make a touchdown on Sunday. Not to mention at the ball tomorrow.”
“I’m still sorry. Not for the kissing, but for putting you in the public eye.”
“Wherever you are is where I’m going to be. If that’s in front of a camera, so be it. I had to complete that mission because I don’t break my promises, but you mean more to me than my job.”
“I feel the same. I won’t leave if something happens to my contract here.”
“Nothing’s happening to your contract. Jack loves you. So do I.”
“I love you, too. Jack—well, I like him a lot—but I don’t think he could pull off the corset.”
“Come take a shower with me, and then we can have some breakfast before I go to work.”
“I’m coming.”
“Yes, you are.”
We have a very fun shower that we both enjoy. We make breakfast together, and I can finally show her the backyard. She loves the waterfall swimming pool with the grotto, the large grassy area—which is fake grass, but so good you can’t tell unless you know—the cabanas, and the outdoor kitchen. The gym is my pride and joy, though, and when we walk into the building, I can tell she loves it, too.
“I get to work out in here with you, right?”
“Anytime you want.”
“I can’t believe you had all of this out here when I came over, and I didn’t even see it.”
“We were a little preoccupied then.”
“Yes, we were. Can I come over after work or is that too clingy?”
“Cling away, babe. I want you to move in as soon as you’re ready.”
“I’m ready now. I just have to get my stuff packed up.”
“I could do that today if you want.”
“You don’t want to relax on your day off?”
“No. I’ve had a month of Sundays to relax.”
“Then yes, please pack up my things and bring them here. You can leave the dishes and stuff. I just need my clothes and personal stuff.”
“Is it okay to go into your workroom?”
“Oh. Yeah. I mean, maybe don’t touch the computers, but you can carefully pack up my collectibles.”
“I’ll be super careful. I appreciate you trusting me with them.”
“I trust you with everything I have.”
“Except your computers.”
“I-I could tell you how to take them apart.”
“I was kidding, Ains. I wouldn’t touch them. I know my limitations.”
“Call me if you have any problems or are unsure of anything.”
“I will. Have fun at work.”
“You know me so well.”
“I do.”
I spend the morning packing everything up. It doesn’t take too long because a couple of the security guys offer to help out. They tell me they’ll miss Ainsley, but they’re happy that we’re together. They also threaten me. I’m not sure there’s anyone left in this city who hasn’t threatened me. I like it, though. It just shows how much my girl is loved.
With the extra help, I’m done by one o’clock. After a quick text to Stella, I head to the Corrigan & Co. building. Alex smiles at me as I walk in and then sends me through to the elevator. Conversations stop again when I walk into the basement. I know they’re just looking out for their boss, but it’s unnerving for all these people who could wipe out my bank accounts to be glaring at me.
“What’s going on out here?” she asks as she walks out of her office. “Oh. Zack. Hi.” She gifts me with a big smile when she sees me.
“Hi. I got done early, and Stella said you didn’t have lunch yet. So I stopped by to have lunch with you, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah. Of course it’s okay. We can eat in the cafeteria. They have every kind of food imaginable.”
“Wow. You’re actually eating in the cafeteria and not just snacking at your desk? Is the world ending?”
“Shut it Jake.”
Jake winks at me and then walks over. He holds his hand out, and I shake it. “Scott
says you’re good for her. I think he’s right.”
“I’m trying really hard to be.”
“Enough with the bromance, are we eating?”
“Yes, my love, we’re eating.”
We hold hands as we walk up the elevator and out into the hall. People come out of their offices as they see us walking down the hall to the cafeteria. If they weren’t scared of Matt, they’d probably have their phones out, too. He’s super protective of the girls, and everyone knows it
When we walk into the cafeteria, it gets quiet again. Unlike in Ainsley’s office, this silence is more curious than hostile.
“They’re wondering what you’re doing with me.”
“Why would they wonder that?”
“They…umm…well most of the people who work here think I’m just a weird nerd.”
“Seriously?”
“I’ve heard those exact words used to describe me. They think I don’t fit in since I dress like I do and don’t try to be glamorous.”
She pushes her glasses higher up on her nose. It’s so cute when she does that. And sexy. The idiots who work here need a reality check. I grab her into a passionate kiss, dipping her down in my arms. When I let her up, I address the workers with their mouths hanging open.
“I fuck her while she wears her glasses, too. It’s crazy hot. Sexy, nerdy girls are the best.”
Ainsley’s bright red, but she’s smiling at me. I give her another quick kiss and then pull her towards the food stations. We load up one plate before sitting down right in the middle of the cafeteria where the staring hasn’t stopped. We eat off our plate, tuning out everyone but each other as we flirt and laugh.
A shadow falls over the table when we’re almost done. I look up and see Matt standing next to me. He smiles at Ainsley, and then at me.
“I’ve been watching the two of you. He’s a keeper, Little Mouse.”
“I know, Matt.”
“Take good care of her, Taylor.”
“I will.”
He nods and walks away. I pick up our plate and cups, and carry them to the drop off area. When I walk back to the table, there’s a young guy there talking to Ainsley. He’s got a cocky swagger, and I can tell she’s trying not to laugh.
“What’s up, man?”
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 1) Page 16